All of us should know that for certain in the next few hours as the 4:00pm EST trade deadline passes today. Here are some quick notes and thoughts on some players tied to the Indians or may be tied to them:

The Indians have been scuffling the past few weeks, and have gone from a being what many considered a definite buyer to maybe a seller now. But the way things look today, they may end up just standing pat and doing nothing, meaning they neither buy nor sell. That will not make a lot of fans happy, and I tend to agree as the White Sox and Tigers are vulnerable right now and the division is for the taking. They may not have the ammo to get on a consistent run over the last two months and over-take them, but they should do everything they can to try and do so. Reason being, once the offseason hits both of them will get a lot healthier and they have the means to make significant improvements via trade or free agency because of their financial situation and the aggressive nature of their GMs.

From the sounds of things, the Indians are still not sure about the team and may need more time to make a determination on what to do as far as buying. Don’t forget, trades can still be completed in August, but the only difference is that players on the 40-man roster that are dealt have to clear waivers. Some of the players they have been in on such as Alfonso Soriano should clear waivers and likely will be traded next month so they could always complete a deal for him in a week or two.

Speaking of Soriano, the Cubs outfielder still looks like a possible match with the Indians. It may happen now, in August, or in the offseason, but he is probably going to get dealt at some point before next year and the Indians have had a lot of dialogue with the Cubs about him. I have heard from a source that the Cubs have offered to pick up a substantial amount of his remaining contract, but the Indians have turned them down several times. I am not sure why they turned them down as that was not explained, but logic would be that they were not happy parting with the player(s) the Cubs wanted in return.

There have been lots of reports the past few days that outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson, and right-handed closer Chris Perez are all available in a trade. The truth of the matter is any player is available in a trade, it just depends on if the acquiring team is willing to pay the price to acquire them. The Indians asking price is high right now for all three of them as they are not in a fire sale mode and don’t have to trade them. All three players are vital pieces to their plans to contend and win the AL Central in 2013, so even if 2012 is a lost cause, they still want to win next year and trading any of them is a sign they do not think they can. So unless the Indians are blown away with an offer of three very good players, most of which would need to be Major League ready, they are not being traded.

If any of the three is traded, it would probably be Choo. With the Pirates, Giants, and Dodgers all making deals for outfielders in the last 24 hours, the outfield market has really shrunk which could make Choo very attractive to a team desperate to make a move for a bat. That team could be the Rangers. They would have the means to resign him when he hits free agency after next season and they are not afraid to deal with a Boras client. Plus, they reportedly are really searching for an outfield bat. I still think a Choo trade is unlikely, but if the Rangers offer up Mike Olt as a center piece of the deal along with two other good prospects that are near the big leagues, I am listening.

The Marlins are shopping first baseman/outfielder Carlos Lee. The Indians have not been tied to him, but he would be a logical fit to help them now. They have mostly targeted players with control beyond this season and are not interested in rentals, which is what Lee would be, but if he comes at a cheap price in prospects, they should consider it. The hangup to any deal between the Marlins and a team for Lee is what they want in exchange for the free agent to be as the acquiring team gets no compensation if he bolts in free agency. The new compensation rule as agreed to in the CBA last offseason does not allow a team to get compensation for a player that has not been with them all season.

The Indians are still in talks to acquire Padres outfielder/third baseman Chase Headley. The asking price from the Padres is still reportedly very high, and there are several teams in the mix, so the Indians still appear to be a longshot to acquire him. It may even be a longshot he is dealt at all.

I will edit and update this piece with any news that comes up over the next few hours.

User Comments

Phil, I hear you and agree with a lot of what you said. The direction is something I am unsure about right now.

Discollama

July 31, 2012 - 4:30 PM EDT

So, will Lars Anderson be taking over 1B duties with the Tribe, or go straight to Columbus?

Maybe we can use him to send LaPorta to SD in a package for Headley (still keeping my fingers crossed on this one)

Phil

July 31, 2012 - 4:06 PM EDT

I think the Indians, with as many opportunities (trades and free agency) they've missed out on within the past 8-10 months, I kind of think the Indians are without direction now. They aren't good enough to win anything right now to buy at the deadline, but too young and with too much potential to sell and rebuild. But they had to do something to say the have some sort of plan!

I'm a self-admitted Antonetti and Shapiro apologist, but man, they're really testing my loyalty. I guess Dolan must be opening the checkbook in free agency because, with no help from within the organization on the horizon, they've failed to improve this club in any way through trades.

Tony

July 31, 2012 - 3:49 PM EDT

The Chisenhall and Hagadone injuries really came at a bad time and hurt their trade value. Hard to deal a guy on the DL with a broken bone, even if expected to fully recover.

Discollama

July 31, 2012 - 3:47 PM EDT

I really think that a Headley for Chisenhall, Hagadone, Gomez deal would be worth it. Not sure if the Padres would think the same, especially with Gyorko already in place to step in at 3B, but Headley's home/road splits are eye popping and he's controlled through 2014 which makes it a worth while deal to make for a team struggling to find any kind of production from 3B and looking to contend.

MT88

July 31, 2012 - 3:29 PM EDT

Sadly, Gabby is now in Pittsburgh.

Unless it's part of a move between Pitts & Clev.....

Tony

July 31, 2012 - 3:00 PM EDT

Nope, just a rehash of things I have been tweeting or re-tweeting on Twitter.

Nate

July 31, 2012 - 2:50 PM EDT

Tom,

No need for trolling. If you have negative things to say just go to Cleveland.com or somewhere else. Not appreciated here.

Tom

July 31, 2012 - 2:43 PM EDT

In other words, just a rehashing of what's already been published on MLBTradeRumors.com

Tony

July 31, 2012 - 2:42 PM EDT

Gabby Sanchez could be an option....the Indians were interested in him in the offseason. Not sure the Marlins want to part ways with him though.

Tom, I was simply saying that the Indians do not HAVE to trade those guys. They would only be dealt if the Indians get the right deal, meaning they are absolutely bowled over and then some. It's not a matter of them being forced to deal them and take the best offer....they can simply keep them and try to win rest of this year and next.

Madthinker88

July 31, 2012 - 2:40 PM EDT

I meant right handed....

Tom

July 31, 2012 - 2:39 PM EDT

LOL. Great insight, Tony. "The truth of the matter is Perez, Masterson, and Choo are all available but for the right price". WELL DUH!!

In other news, Obama will win the election in November, but only if he gets enough electoral votes.

Very informative stuff. LOL

Madthinker88

July 31, 2012 - 2:39 PM EDT

I realize that Gaby Sanchez has struggled this year but he would seem to be a good 'buy low' piece that if he could be straightened out would be the highhanded bat needed this year and next.

With Miami selling other pieces it would be interesting to hear what this cost is.

Rick

July 31, 2012 - 2:15 PM EDT

About how much money are the Cubs willing to pay?

Phil

July 31, 2012 - 1:58 PM EDT

Doesn't matter if they get a bat, stand pat, whatever, they will never go anywhere with their pitching staff. It's my opinion that it's a waste of assets to stand pat now, when you don't have the composition to compete now or next year-- you're just spinning your wheels. These hot starts to the season have given the Indians false hope for the rest of the season as they continuously flounder through the months of June and July. Simply put, they just aren't good enough to win anything.

Tony

July 31, 2012 - 1:55 PM EDT

I still think the most probably destination for Soriano may be the Indians. We will see. I am not sure yet what I feel about a trade for him. Would depend on how much of his salary the Cubs pay and what the Indians have to give up.

Rick

July 31, 2012 - 1:47 PM EDT

I am of the opinion you have to at least get the RH bat. If you need more time, so be it but w/o that bat the Indians will continue to fade. They can make further moves in August but they cannot wait on that bat.